21 Warning Signs and Symptoms of Eye Problems

1. Red Eyes

Red eyes are a common symptom that can occur when experiencing many different eye conditions. Red eyes can likely develop as a sign of irritation, inflammation or injury due to the small blood vessels that increase in size, causing them to appear red on the surface of the eye. Redness is considered a typical response to allergens, dirt or debris entering the eye and may be alleviated through the use of eye drops that specifically target the cause, such as antihistamines for allergies. However, it is important that you seek medical attention as your first option before starting any treatments. Red eyes may likely last until the underlying condition is addressed and is considered a very common sign of mild to severe eye conditions.

2. Crossed Eyes

Crossed eyes can be a sign of an eye problem known as strabismus and depending on the direction the eyes are turned can indicate which form of strabismus. Crossed eyes in babies can be a common sign of misaligned eyes which have four different types including esotropia, exotropia, hypertropia and hypotropia. However, this can go away as they turn 4-6 months, if it persists past 4-6 months old, it could be a case of crossed eyes. Crossed eyes may last from birth to around 4 months which may resolve, however, it is possible for crossed eyes to remain past this age. In this case, further examination by an eye care professional should be sought.

3. Trouble Focusing on Close or Distant Objects

Trouble focusing on close or distant objects can be a sign of refractive errors such as short-sightedness (myopia), far-sightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism. Trouble focusing on objects in the distance may indicate there is an issue with how your eye focuses light onto the retina and instead, light is focused in front of the retina causing objects in the distance to appear blurry. As a result, you may only have clear vision when looking at objects up close. Experiencing trouble with focusing on objects up close may be an issue of far-sightedness (hyperopia). This and astigmatism may occur due to the abnormal length of the eye from the front to the back or the unusual curvature of the cornea according to the National Eye Institute.

4. Cloudy Vision

Cloudy vision can be a potential symptom of serious eye conditions such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, Fuchs dystrophy, floaters and diabetic retinopathy. Cloudy vision may be a result of the protein in the lens of the eye deteriorating and clumping together due to cataracts. Cloudy vision can also develop as a symptom of Fuchs dystrophy as a result of corneal swelling caused by the loss of endothelial cells. The endothelial cells are responsible for maintaining a healthy amount of fluid in the cornea. Floaters may also lead to cloudy vision due to the larger-sized floaters moving across the eye. Diabetic retinopathy may be associated with cloudy vision as a consequence of swollen retina tissue. This can occur when diabetes is not treated or managed. It is important to see an optometrist promptly if you have cloudy vision as this can be a sign of a more serious condition.

5. Difficulty Adjusting to Darkness

Difficulty adjusting to darkness also known as night blindness may be a symptom of eye conditions such as cataracts, myopia, glaucoma and vitamin A deficiency. Experiencing difficulty adjusting to darkness can develop due to factors such as changes to how the eyes process light, which can be a consequence of cataracts. Night blindness may also stem from a build-up of pressure in the eye, which is what can lead to glaucoma. Experiencing difficulty seeing in the dark could also indicate a vitamin A deficiency as this vitamin assists with producing certain pigments for a full functioning retina. Difficulty adjusting to darkness may be corrected with prescription glasses or an updated prescription or surgery if the condition does not improve with glasses.

6. Double Vision

Double vision also known as diplopia may be a symptom of eye conditions such as cataracts, astigmatism, incorrect-fitting glasses, misaligned eyes, cranial nerve issues, strokes and brain aneurysms. Double vision can indicate issues and diseases in the eyes as well as the body and is defined as seeing two of the same image. The different types of double vision are monocular and binocular, horizontal and vertical. Monocular diplopia develops when double vision occurs in just one eye with the second image appearing as a shadow. Binocular diplopia refers to when double vision affects both eyes and may alleviate when one eye is covered. When binocular diplopia occurs, double vision may appear horizontally or vertically, however, these forms may arise depending on the cause of double vision. Treatment or management of double vision will depend on how severe the condition is but could involve hindering vision in one to mitigate symptoms or using an eye patch. If you experience any sudden double vision, it is recommended you seek urgent medical attention.

7. Central Dark Spot in Eyesight

A central dark spot in eyesight may be a sign or symptom of serious eye conditions such as retinal tear or detachment or scotoma and other conditions. Seeing a central dark spot as a result of retinal tear may be associated with age-related ocular problems, eye injuries, nearsightedness and eye surgery. It is important to note that a retinal tear or detachment is an eye emergency, therefore, urgent medical attention should be sought right away. The development of a dark spot in your central vision may be the visual field abnormality called scotoma according to the Cleveland Clinic. A scotoma can be characterised as a blind spot and usually occurs in one eye but can also occur in both eyes. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these dark spots can develop in an area of the retina where the nerves are not functioning and fail to transmit signals to the brain. The types of scotomas differ according to where the blind spot occurs and can stem from issues in the eye such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

8. Loss of Peripheral Vision

Loss of peripheral vision may occur as a consequence of different ocular diseases such as a detached retina, glaucoma, cataracts and retinitis pigmentosa. Peripheral vision refers to your side vision or vision that is out of your direct line of eyesight and allows you to see all around you without the need to turn your head. Losing peripheral vision should be addressed with a medical professional as soon as possible as it may likely be an indication of a serious eye condition. Impaired peripheral vision can occur as a consequence of different conditions which may include when cataracts develop, when too much ocular pressure builds up or due to retinal damage. The duration of this symptom may depend on which condition is causing loss of peripheral vision and the breadth of damage caused.

9. Glare or Halos (Coloured Circles Around Lights)

Glare or halos (coloured circles around lights) may indicate an issue with certain regions of the eye. Glare or halos may signify different eye problems such as an abnormally shaped cornea, cataracts, keratoconus, Fuchs Dystrophy, closed-angle glaucoma, photokeratitis and other conditions. The appearance of glare or halos may be noticeable during the night around headlights and streetlights and can be accompanied by other symptoms. Some possible occurrences that may lead to the development of glare or halos may include a cloudy lens or abnormally shaped cornea bending light in an unusual way. Other reasons may include corneal thinning or swelling and refractive errors. Many of these circumstances may stem from eye conditions that will require prompt medical attention. Therefore, it is important to see an optometrist or your local doctor when experiencing the symptoms of glare or halos. Managing glare or halos will depend on the underlying condition which may be determined based on additional symptoms that occur.

10. Excessive Tearing

Excessive tearing may develop when the eyes are irritated, infected or injured. Excessive tearing typically occurs in order to eliminate what may be causing the irritation, infection or injury. The most common eye problems associated with excessive tearing include conjunctivitis, blepharitis, dry eye, irritant exposure and corneal damage. Increased tear production can typically take a few days to alleviate depending on the condition and may likely occur along with other symptoms.

11. Swelling

Swelling may be a common sign or symptom of eye problems such as an injury, allergies or fluid retention. Swelling can occur in and around the eye and is part of the body’s natural response to allergens, infections and trauma to the eye. In serious cases, damage to blood vessels and blockage in the eye’s internal drainage system may also lead to swelling in the eye. Swelling can induce discomfort, pain, the sensation of something in the eye, itching and irritation according to UCLA Health. Eye swelling can take between 24-48 hours to go down and will require prescribed medication according to the underlying condition.

12. Straight Lines Appear Wavy

Straight lines appearing wavy may be a possible symptom known as metamorphopsia which is a vision dysfunction often associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal haemorrhage, and other conditions. Straight lines appearing wavy can ensue due to issues in the macula or the brain according to All About Vision. The macula controls our central vision and is located in the back region of the retina. This symptom may be noticed by patients when looking at objects such as buildings or doors and will likely require complex treatment from an ophthalmologist depending on the type of condition. According to the National Library of Medicine, metamorphopsia is a common symptom that can occur from different macular diseases. For patients with age-related macular degeneration, the most common occurrence was found to be a distortion of words on computer displays, newspapers and books according to Xu K, Gupta V, Bae S et al. (2018). Additionally, patients with wet AMD reported higher rates of metamorphopsia than those with dry AMD.

13. Itching, Stinging, Dry Eyes

Itching, stinging and dry eyes may be common signs and symptoms of eye problems such as allergies or an issue with tear production. Itching, stinging and dry eyes can typically occur when allergens or irritants get in the eye or from decreased tear production. These symptoms may be alleviated from antihistamine eye drops or artificial tear eye drops prescribed by an optometrist. It also may be helpful to see an optometrist to ensure there are no underlying conditions. The duration of these symptoms can vary between individuals and can depend on which condition you have.

14. Headache

A headache may be a sign of eyestrain, eye injuries, dry eye, uncorrected farsightedness nearsightedness and infections according to NVision Centres. The different types of headaches can include tension headaches, cluster headaches and migraines. Eye Strain may be the most common cause of headaches due to overexertion of your eye muscles when focusing on certain tasks that involve computers, reading, dim-light conditions and bright-light conditions. Treatment may depend on the factors causing the headache. It may be helpful to take regular breaks during tasks to rest your eyes and prevent the chance of developing eyestrain and headaches. It is also recommended to see your optometrist for assistance with headaches associated with vision as they can check whether your prescription may need updating or if you require prescription glasses.

15. Change in Iris Colour

A change in iris colour may be associated with complex eye diseases, due to genetics and certain medications. Changes to your iris colour can either be harmless or require treatment and can include many causes such as iris nevi, iris freckles, Lisch nodules and Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis. The causes that can lead to a change in your iris colour can differ according to which eye condition you have and may likely experience other symptoms as well. It is best to see your optometrist who can then refer you to an ophthalmologist for further examination and suitable treatment.

16. Veil Obstructing Vision

Veil obstructing vision may be an indication of serious eye conditions. Veil obstructing vision is defined as seeing what resembles a curtain over your eyes and it requires urgent medical attention. Seeing a veil in your eyesight can be linked to the onset of a stroke, retinal infection, blocked blood vessels in the eye or a detached and torn retina. A symptom such as this will require further examination and a professional diagnosis, therefore, it may be difficult to provide accurate information on the duration and management. The prevalence however may be common in patients who have pre-existing eye conditions.

17. Flashes or Floaters

flashes or floaters may be a sign of changes to the vitreous gel of the eye due to age-related changes or retinal detachment. Floaters can be described as greyish or dark squiggly lines or spots that float across the eye and flashes are flashes of light that appear in your vision. They can develop when segments of the vitreous gel clump together, creating the appearance of shadows according to the National Eye Institute. flashes or floaters may not always be a cause for concern, however, it is still advised to have your eyes examined by an eye care professional to ensure there are no problems with any structures of the eye. If there are no underlying conditions found during the examination, the appearance of floaters or flashes may gradually reduce and become less noticeable.

18. Sudden Loss of Vision

Sudden loss of vision can be a sign of many different eye problems with some being acute glaucoma, trauma to the eye or retinal artery occlusion. Sudden loss of vision may occur when issues with the brain, nerves and eyes develop and is considered an eye emergency, therefore, urgent medical care should be sought. Loss of vision is considered sudden when it takes place within seconds, minutes or days according to Christopher C. Muth in his paper on Sudden Loss of Vision (2017). Diagnosing sudden loss of vision may involve a neurological assessment and eye examination. Treatment will depend on the cause which may involve surgery, eye drops or medication.

19. Inability to Close an Eyelid

The inability to close an eyelid may be a sign of an eye condition known as lagophthalmos, which can be caused mainly by nerve damage or eyelid damage from facial nerve paralysis,  eye surgery or eye trauma. The inability to close an eyelid can develop as a result of according to the Cleveland Clinic. The different types of lagophthalmos are nocturnal lagophthalmos, paralytic lagophthalmos and mechanical lagophthalmos. Nocturnal lagophthalmos occurs when the eyes cannot close when sleeping, paralytic lagophthalmos as a result of facial nerve paralysis and mechanical lagophthalmos develops when the nerves in the muscle do not operate correctly. Management will involve getting treatment for the underlying cause, which could be nonsurgical methods such as eye drops, moisturising ointment or tape to keep eyelids closed according to the Cleveland Clinic. Surgical processes could include partially or completely sewing the eyelid shut or implanting weights in the upper eyelids. Other surgeries may include eyelid surgeries, lower eyelid surgeries and facial surgeries. It may also be helpful to focus on maintaining moisture in the eyes as the lack of blinking can leave the eyes dry, leading to irritation and other potential complications.

20. Light Sensitivity

Light sensitivity can arise as a common symptom of several different eye problems that can leave the eyes extra sensitive. Light sensitivity may be induced by common conditions such as corneal abrasions, dry eye, conjunctivitis and uveitis. The eyes can develop sensitivity when certain eye conditions impair the eye’s ability to process light. This symptom may last from weeks to months depending on the cause and may be managed through limiting screen time, wearing sunglasses during bright conditions and treating the underlying condition.

21. Hazy or Blurred Vision

Hazy or blurred vision can develop during multiple types of eye problems such as refractive errors. Hazy or blurred vision can be characterised as sight that is unclear, out of focus and lacks sharpness. Blurry or hazy vision may be treated when the underlying condition is addressed by an eye health professional. Refractive errors such as nearsightedness and farsightedness may likely require correction through prescription glasses. Blurry or hazy vision from dry eyes may only require prescribed artificial tear eye drops to restore or increase moisture. Blurry or hazy vision is a very common symptom, however, it cannot be said how long it lasts as it depends on which condition you have.

Why is it Important to Know the Warning Signs of Eye Problems?

It is important to know the warning signs of eye problems as it can help patients know when to see an optometrist or medical professional. It is helpful to familiarise yourself with different eye disease symptoms to also know what to report to your optometrist during your appointment. This can assist the optometrist in their diagnosis of your condition. Different eye diseases often have similar symptoms therefore, it is important to be mindful of any changes to your eyes and vision. This will help ensure early detection of any eye problems before further complications can develop.

What are the Most Common Eye Problems?

The most common eye problems are refractive errors, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma and strabismus. These eye problems can affect a range of age groups between children to senior patients. The most common eye problems are listed below.

• Refractive Errors: Refractive errors are a common eye problem that affects vision and occurs when the shape of your eyes hinders light from properly focusing light onto your retina. The different types of refractive errors include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. This form of eye problem can affect patients from children to seniors.
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Age-related macular degeneration is characterised as disease that occurs in the macula, affecting your central vision. The two types of age-related macular degeneration are dry, which is the most common form and takes place when the macula thins out as you get older. The other type is wet (AMD),  which develops when the macula is damaged by abnormally grown blood vessels in the back of the eye. It is considered less common and can lead to faster loss of vision.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that can result in vision loss or blindness in patients with diabetes. Diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy when the blood vessels in the retina swell up and bleed.
• Cataracts: Cataracts are when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy as a result of proteins in the eye breaking down and sticking together, which can hinder vision. This normally occurs in older patients as there are natural changes to the lens of the due to increased age and exposure to ultraviolet light.
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is another common eye problem that can lead to vision loss.  Glaucoma may be caused by increased ocular pressure, genetics, diabetes, increased age, migraines, high-blood pressure and many other conditions. The types of glaucoma include open-angle, and closed-angle and within these types are different forms including primary glaucomas and secondary glaucomas. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency which requires urgent medical attention.
• Strabismus: Strabismus also known as misaligned eyes is an eye condition where the eyes are not lined properly and cannot simultaneously look at the same place. It normally occurs in children but also develops in adults. The different types of strabismus are inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia), up (hypertropia) and down (hypotropia). It can arise as a result of problems in the eye muscles.

How to Prevent Eye Diseases?

To prevent eye diseases can involve different steps which may be able to increase eye and overall bodily health, which may reduce the risk of developing eye diseases. It is important to have your eyes regularly checked through a comprehensive eye exam to maintain eye health, consuming sugary foods in moderation, and familiarising yourself with your family’s eye health history. It may also be helpful to maintain a healthy weight, always wear sunglasses when appropriate, quit smoking, use protective eyewear, and rest your eyes from long periods of device use. Finally, cleaning your hands and contact lenses correctly and eating healthy.

How Can Glasses Prevent Eyesight Issues?

Glasses can prevent eyesight issues such as short-sightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Glasses can help with clear vision by bending the light correctly onto the retina, which is the tissue in the back region of the eye that is light-sensitive. While glasses can correct these different errors when wearing them, it does not alter the eyes.